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Boy: Tales of Childhood

Tickler

by Roald Dahl
About the Book
Roald Dahl shares some of his most memorable boyhood
stories in Boy: Tales of Childhood. Since all the stories are
true, the insights from these pages certainly give the reader
a fair overview of who Roald Dahl was and why he wrote the
way he did.
There are some funny accounts, such as theGreat Mouse
Plot in which he and some fellow classmates learn the
consequences of sweet revenge when they enter mean Mrs.
Pratchett’s sweet-shop and sneak a dead mouse into a jar
of Gobstoppers. There are also some terrifying stories, such
as the one about his first automobile ride in which he nearly
loses his nose. Expect the unexpected in this hilarious
account of Roald Dahl’s boyhood.About the Author
Roald Dahl was born on September 13, 1916, in Llandaff, South Wales. Dahl was a fun-loving,
mischievous child. His father died when he was four. Dahl attended Llandaff Cathedral School,
then boarding school at St. Peter’s, and finally a well-known private school, Repton. Dahl was never
a superior student. He was a natural athlete, but was not considered a leader.After his schooling, Dahl chose to work for the Shell Oil Company
in Africa rather than go on to college. In 1939, he joined the Royal Air
Force, serving first as a pilot in Africa, and later as an assistant air
attaché in Washington, D.C. During this time, he was interviewed
by the Saturday Evening Post. The interviewer didn’t take notes, so
he picked up the notes Dahl took for him.Finding that these were
actually a story, the reporter sent them to the magazine under Dahl’s
name. Dahl later stated that becoming a writer was a complete fluke.
His first children’s book was called The Gremlins. Later, Dahl made
up bedtime stories for his five children, learning from them what
children like. He kept their interest by throwing in unexpected twists.
This technique ischaracteristic of Roald Dahl, one of the best-known
authors of humorous books for children.

Student Contract Materials List
Activity #1:
Activity #2:
Activity #3:
Activity #4:

• Activity #5:
• Activity #6:

paper, pencil
paper, pencil
construction paper, crayons or markers
81/2” x 11” poster board, white drawing
paper, scissors, crayons or markers
copy of page 58, 1 sheetof 12” x 18” construction paper, scissors, glue, crayons or
markers
white drawing paper, crayons or markers

• Activity #7:

cardboard box, arts-and-crafts
supplies
• Activity #8: paper, pencil
• Activity #9: reference materials on penicillin,
experiment materials
• Activity #10: reference materials on artists,
art supplies, index card
• Activity #11: copy of page 59
•Activity #12: copy of page 60

Sherb
et Su
cker

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Boy: Tales of Childhood
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Independent Contract
Name:___________________________ Number of activities to be completed: _______

Language Arts

At the beginning of Boy, Roald Dahl includes
a note to the reader explaining that this book
is a collection of stories taken from the events
of his ownlife. He says that these are not
important events; they are the things that
for some reason have been seared on his
memory. What events in your life are forever
seared into your memory? Write a descriptive
story about an unforgettable experience that
you have had. Then illustrate your story.

3.

Art

In “The Bicycle and the Sweet-Shop,” Roald
Dahl details the glorious candies he lovesso
much in Mrs. Pratchett’s sweet-shop. Reread
this section, in which he describes everything
from Bull’s-eyes and Glacier Mints to Liquorice
Bootlaces and Gobstoppers. Then draw what
you imagine the candy counter in the sweetshop looks like filled with all the colorful,
mouthwatering candies. Be sure to draw a
sign next to each candy telling what it is.

5.

Social Studies

In the...